Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-28
RECORD BREAKERS.
Harvard and Columbia Both Lower the
Record in their Race ON the Thames
The wearers ofthe Crimson Defeat Co.
lumbia by Three Lengths After an Ex.
citing Contest.
NEW LoSpox Ct Jnns ..

NEW LONDON. CT, June %.
Inc eight annual four mile straight away
race between the eight Dared crews repre-
senting Harvard University and Columbia
College, was rowed this afternoon on the
Thames river. The course wss from Gales
Ferry to Winthrop Point. and proved one of
the most hotly contested races ever rowed,
both crews breaking the record of com. Slsec
made by Yale in 1884. Official time: Har-
yard, 20m. 2Osec. Columbis 20m. 2esec.
Harvard had the west and Columbia the
east course. The start was made about S. so
Both crews went away on a spurt of s.
strokes to the minute. Harvard catching the
water fret and gaining q slight advantage
Both crews were splashing badly.
The crews dropped the pace two strokes
and settled down to hard work. Harvard's
long sweeping stroke and the precision with
which they moved their bodies sent them to
the front and at the first quarter they had =
lead of q length.
The Columbus were gaining, and a. the
shells shot by the half mile flag they were
bow and bow.
This fine exhibition by Columbia greatly
surprised the Harvard crew, and they shove ed
temporary decentralization by splashiug~ ard
irregular body movement Columbia took
advantage of the opportunity bv drawing
away from Harvard showing about q foot of
clear water between the boats.
Harvard quickly recovered and by sweep
ing stroke of "a rapidly ran up alongside the
New Workers, and by great exertions brought
the bow of the boat few feet to the front
just as they passed the first mile flag.
The rowing up to this time was something
phenomenal. the second half being rowed in
1C4 and ALA respectively. Both crews
oft tha
The Harvards leai was oulv three feet
and it was snybody's race. The enthusiasm
here was at its height, and every Harvard
and Columbia man was shouting for all he
was worth.
The terrible strain had it's effect on the
Columbiss and they dropped their stroke to
33, while Harvard, still pulling "a, forged
ahead. and at the end of II miles nearly
showed clear water. Harvard kept up its
steady swing while Columbia's work was
ragged, and to her misfortune her coxswain
swerved from the course and made long
sweep in shore, thereby losing nearly a
length.
At the end of two miles Harvard had in
creased her lead to two lengths. Opposite
the navy yard Harvard was three lengths
ahead and swinging merrily along with the
race well in hand
At this point Columbia seemed to get her
second wind and put in such effective work
that in half mile she had overcome one
length of her opponents lead, and tried to
close up the gap but could do nothing more
than hold her own.
Entering on the last half mile Columbia
made final effort, but to do her best she
could only gain but few feet and ipmedi-
stely lost it all through the last halt mile.
Harvard easily maintained her lead of three
lengths in spite of Columbiss effort, and
crossed the line a winner by three lengths, in
20m 20sec., defeating the best crew Colum-
bia ever had and breaking the record by
eleven seconds